Outbacker

My mistake. Yes it is a washer, not the dryer that I am asking about. Thanks for the excellent replies.

Nestor_Kelebay

I'm wondering if the "no extension cord" clause has more to do with using an extension cord in poor condition. In that case, if the extension cord is in rough shape, and the washer leaks, and the extension cord gets wet, there could be a very lucrative lawsuit in there for an enterprising customer who suffers a very painful and mentally scarring shock because of the manufacturers negligence in not warning customers not to use extension cords with it's products.

That is, the warning was put in by the legal department to keep the company out of court.

DaveyDIY

I'd say you hit the nail on the head

If water runs down the cord to the extension cord you risk a shock
Probably a legal matter
I'm not sure how much power a washer pulls - 7a ??

Nestor_Kelebay

It wuz a lucky guess.

I'm not sure it would matter how much amperage is going through the washing machine. Getting a shock from an electrical cord means that your body has become a second electrical path the electricity can take. I don't see why the current through the first path would have any effect on the current through the second path unless the total is enough to trip the breaker.

What would matter is now much power was available in that cord. I'd rather be shocked by a washer than an electric dryer cuz the dryer is fused to 30 amps.

(Not that I'd prefer to be shocked at all if I had a choice in the matter.)